Williamsport man faces underage sex charges

A Williamsport man is facing sexual offense charges after allegedly having sex with a minor and encouraging her to send sexually explicit photos through text messages.

According to a criminal complaint filed by state police at Philipsburg, police began investigating Sherman Keller II, 34, in 2012 when authorities received a packet of information about Keller, who was 29 at the time, by Pottstown police regarding an unrelated crime.

During the course of the investigation, the complaint said, the Department of Homeland Security Cyber Crimes Unit had obtained texts from Keller’s telephone records in which he was allegedly texting two female minors. “Numerous sexually explicit texts” were allegedly recovered in which Keller was luring the two to send pictures of themselves and secretly meet with him.

According to texts allegedly recovered dating July 2011, the complaint said, Keller arranged a meeting with one of the females in Port Matilda and the two engaged in sexual acts.

Never miss a local story.

Sign up today for unlimited digital access to our website, apps, the digital newspaper and more.

The females were interviewed by state police in May 2012, the complaint said, and allegedly admitted to receiving texts from Keller. One of the females acknowledged that he pressured her for pictures and sex, and admitted to allowing him to secretly meet with her.

According to court documents, Keller has previously faced charges of rape and aggravated indecent assault in Lycoming County and child pornography charges in Montgomery County.

Police attempted to interview Keller at Lycoming County Prison in October 2013, but he would not confirm nor deny allegations unless he spoke with an attorney.

The Centre County District Attorney’s Office recommended filing charges against Keller in April.

Keller was arraigned before District Judge Allen Sinclair and charged with multiple felony counts, including unlawful contact with a minor, statutory sexual assault and corruption of minors, court documents said. Sinclair set a monetary bail of $100,000.

Keller remains incarcerated at the Centre County Correctional Facility. A preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 31.